🌱Monday, after days of on and off rain, I did the lawn. It didn't go well. I knew Fred would be disturbed. Thing is, they don't hibernate until late August, the lawn will need to be done regularly depending upon rainfall. They all hid in their burrow.
I grabbed an errant weed in the 'lawn' (mostly Twitch grass, and native weeds, dandelions, devil's paintbrush). Even as I reached barehanded for it, I thought, it looks vaguely familiar. I now know it was Wild Parsnip.
I am susceptible to contact dermatitis, after several annual bouts with poison ivy in 2011. Our township has worked hard to eradicate this noxious, poisonous weed. The birds kindly spread the seeds. There were a couple of bunches under and around the mailbox. I got rid of that. I used the heavy duty poison ivy killer.
I do have an ointment the dermatologist gave me back in the day, a topical steroid. Thank goodness. It is in a vaseline-like substance, and still seems to work.
It is better after three days. I've been wrapping it in a neckerchief, as it does transfer to other parts of my body if I am not careful.
🐀 Fred and miniFreds didn't like the lawn tractor. (I had to back it out of the shed over their burrow opening.) I began in the front, hoping they'd hear it coming.
This was fun! A piece of Twitch Grass sticking up in her face.
iPhoto has a feature that 'cleans up' the image. Those are big teeth!
Fred and Cinnamon hung out at the deck. He's a gentle cat, and seems to know she is either harmless, a vegetarian, or bears watching. Fred was concerned with something, standing and doing 'bear.'
Another Fred came by, and approached the shed. Winnifred didn't like that.
After she made it back to the burrow entrance, there was a feeding involved! I think they head bump her to get he milk flowing!
She sat most of the afternoon under or near the lower deck. Chirping loudly. She chirped right through dinner and into the evening. It was strange.
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15 comments:
Hari OM
That feeding vid is such precious footage, Jenn!!! The whistles are warnings, but as she was also not entirely comfy at feeding time, I am wondering if this her starting to train the brood about going independent...? YAM xx
I pulled some wild parsnip yesterday also from near the mailbox. I'll be weed whacking it back from the fenceline as it grows in huge patches in the meadow just east of us.
Cutting it or spraying it is the only way to try to control it.
I imagine it won't be long before it invades my pastures.
That is a plant to be careful around.
Hopefully you have good luck with your yard now.
I'm trying to figure out how to keep disturbing our unwanted 'Fred' from our shed. ;)
The video of mom and the babies feeding. Wow. That was the most charming, sweet thing! I loved every frame.
They'll either get used to grass cutting or learn to temporarily find an alternate place to hang out while it's being done.
She looks like a grumpy neighbor yelling about the noise! HA ha ha. Sorry about the rash, that looks itchy.
Ouch!
Hello,
The poison ivy seems to grow well here, horrible plant.
Fred will have to get used to the lawn mover this summer.
The little ones are cute. Take care, have a great day!
Perhaps she was warning that other gopher to stay away. Wild Momma's sure can be defensive.
Your arm looks painful!
I love seeing Fred & family.
Fred is so darn cute but yes, big teeth.
I am glad that you have treatment for that rash which looks nasty.
Fred is sooooo cute. As are the family.
Wonder if Ms. Fred was chirping because one of her kits being gone? Linda in Kansas
That's a large group of baby "Freds." They are really adorable, though. You are so lucky to be able to film them, too.
Lovely videos, especially Fred and her kits!
Ouch on the itchies. Good to know you had that ointment. Fred has an adorable chirp. That is the first time I have heard one.
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